Tuesday, May 4, 2010

this shoot has a lot of significance to me...not just because i got to create something that plays a role in my life...but because it plays a role in one of my dearest and bestest friend's lives...

when brainstorming how we would style leila's love shoot with elizabeth messina, we knew we had to come up with something unique...as a wedding publicist, leila had kind of seen it all...so we thought of the flower stand because:

1. how cute would it look, nestled in a forest or sitting by a roadside?

2. leila's mom used to be a florist and leila grew up around flower shops, so we thought it would be a meaningful tribute to her mother and her roots...

all in all, i think it turned out pretty darn fabulous! a little wood stand accented with burlap and growing jasmine vines...rustic wood crates turned upside down to hold copper buckets and pails full of flowers and herbs...wrought iron chairs sourced at flea markets and wire metal plant stands holding copper watering cans and stone vessels...

just so darling and special...there is nothing like it! enjoy!

one of my favorite shots from the day...

i mean.....COME ON!! leila you are so gorgeous!

leila was a little nervous when i chose this cute pink romper for her to wear...but she looked amazing and it was so perfect for summer! plus now she can wear it on her honeymoon :)

i love this picture of tony...he is just such a strong, silent type and this picture is SO him...

elizabeth totally surprised leila by bringing this cake...leila had always been obsessed with this particular green cake photo that elizabeth took a while back...so she about died when she saw that she was getting pretty much the same one for her own shoot! what an awesome gift!

probably my FAVORITE shot of the entire day...i just love how carefree it is and how relaxed they both look...just totally in love and...just happy...

this swing was already here but i added some flowing jasmine vines to make it seem that it just grew out from the tree itself...

LOVE...

a HUGE thank you to elizabeth messina for being SO amazing that day and for blessing us with such gorgeous photos...it was a complete honor to work with her and i cannot wait to do it again! she is one in a million...

to tricia fontaine who was such a great support that day...we could not have done it without her, OR without her insanely gorgeous venue, dos pueblos ranch in santa barbara...it is a phenomenal place to hold a wedding so if you're still looking for that perfect rustic outdoor space, contact her!!

lastly, to leila and tony...it was a long day together and the end result is more than i could hope for...not just for the photos...but to be able to see you guys so in love and able to finally have it be about "you"...this is your moment, take it all in...i can't wait for the big day this weekend! it's going to be the most gorgeous wedding i have ever done and certainly one of the most special...i love you both...

Carissa, you did such an amazing job with Leila and Tony's "Love" shoot. It's fitting that it was a "love" shoot...because I fall in love with all of them. Leila is so blessed to have your friendship and you are an amazingly talented woman. I know you will continue to bring joy and make dreams come to life for so many people! Looking forward to sharing this weekend with you. xo